BEST FROM: aBlogtoWatch & Friends April 29, 2016

To close April, we are paying a visit to one of the largest watch companies in the world, Citizen. Renowned for its quartz pieces, those who really know Citizen will know that they also make mechanical watches. Besides that, they also own Miyota, La Joux-Perret, and even the high-end Swiss brand Arnold & Son. We visit them in Japan to take a look at their watchmaking facilities and also to find out more about their watchmaking philosophy.

Next, we travel to Switzerland to take a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in the workshops of Jaeger-LeCoultre. Often regarded as the watchmaker’s watchmaker, Jaeger-LeCoultre can count over a thousand calibers to its name and its movements were even used by other great watch houses like Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, among others.

1. Point/Counterpoint: Conservative Or Personal Choice As First Nice Watch?

What is a nice watch? I’d like to think that it’s simply a watch that requires one to save up, and not something that you can buy on a whim. And as exciting as buying your first nice watch can be, it can also be equally daunting and tricky. One question that often arises is should you get the tried-and-tested watch, aka the safe choice; or should you throw caution to the wind and get that funky watch that nobody else probably pays attention to? Do you pick the safe and conservative choice, or do you trust your instincts and get that watch that catches your eye? We weigh in with our thoughts.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

2. Experiencing The Japanese Culture Of Innovation With Citizen Watches

Think Japanese watches and the first names that pop to mind are probably Seiko and the other Japanese giant around, and that’s Citizen. Citizen is one of the most innovative watch companies around and was one of the pioneers of solar-powered watches as well as GPS satellite watches. It also owns Miyota, which provides movements to many micro-brands; and it also owns Swiss movement maker La Joux-Perret, as well as haute horology brand Arnold & Son. Join us as we visit their manufacture in Japan to learn more about their approach to watchmaking.

In these trying times, brands are doing their darnedest to offer more value for money. One watch to keep tabs on is TAG Heuer’s new Heuer-02T Tourbillon Chronograph watch, a relatively affordable Swiss-made tourbillon watch from one of the major brands. Not only does it have a tourbillon, it also has a column-wheel chronograph. And all this costs just $15,000, which, if you have been dying to own a Swiss-made tourbillon watch, is really quite incredible value for money. Hit the link below to get a closer look at this watch.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

4. Andreas Strehler Papillon d’Or Watch Hands-On

Andreas Strehler is an independent watchmaker that is most famous for incorporating the papillon motif into his movements (papillon being French for “butterfly”). For his Papillon d’Or watch, the movement – the Calibre Papillon d’Or – features a unique butterfly-shaped bridge that is impressive to look at and certainly attractive, but at the same time also quite odd to find in a men’s watch. As a result, I think this is the perfect watch for anyone who is looking for something that is truly different and one-of-a-kind.

Source: aBlogtoWatch

5. Breguet Type XXI 3817 Watch Hands-On

Mention Breguet and you will probably think about its more classical-looking pieces. What you might not know is that Breguet, along with other watch brands, also made sports chronograph watches in the fifties for the French military known as the Type XX and Type XXI. In the mid-nineties, Breguet resumed production of these watches and, at Baselworld earlier this year, debuted a new Type XXI watch that is clearly vintage-inspired. If you like the look of vintage Breguet sports chronographs, this is one watch to keep tabs on.

Bentley and Brietling share a working relationship that goes back all the way to 2002. That year, when Bentley launched the Continental GT car, it was Breitling which provided the car’s onboard clock. Since then, Breitling has produced many more watches for Bentley under their Breitling for Bentley collection, and the latest is the Breitling for Bentley GMT Light Body BO4 S Watch (a mouthful, I know). To better understand the watch and appreciate the relationship between Breitling and Bentley, we took the watch as well as Bentley’s new 190mph Mulsanne Speed luxury limousine for a joy ride. You’ll be surprised to find out just how well they complement each other.